LATE GAME HEROICS FROM LESLIE AND TUCKER GET JACKALS BACK IN WIN COLUMN

Quebec City, QUE – They say baseball is a game of inches, like the couple of inches that stood between a long fly ball launched by Jackals first baseman Myron Leslie and the glove of Quebec center fielder Goef Tomlinson. That ball dropped in and scored the go-ahead run for New Jersey in the top of the ninth inning. Then there are the inches that stood between the bats of three Capitales hitters as they swung and missed at strike three from Jackal’s closer Rusty Tucker as he slammed the door on Quebec to clinch his 20th save of the season. All told, New Jersey stopped a four-game skid on Saturday night at Stad Municipal de Quebec, defeating the Capitales 5-4 in a thrilling contest.

The game got off to an inauspicious beginning for the Capitales both at the plate and in the field. Jackals starter Sean Thompson started the game off in cruise control, throwing four scoreless frames in his third start with New Jersey, allowing just a pair of hits. For Quebec, starter Eric Gagne was looking equally as sharp in his first three innings on the mound before the game would take a sudden drastic change in the top of the fourth inning.

Jackals right fielder Timo Perez led off the inning with a slow grounder to the right side of the infield that was booted by Quebec first baseman Eddie Lantigua. Second baseman Josh Colafemina grabbed the ricochet and flipped to Gagne who was attempting to cover the bag on the play. Perez was called safe by the first base umpire who said the pitchers foot had been pulled off the bag as a result of the flip from Colafemina. Gagne instantly began to argue the call and was tossed from the game almost as quickly, forcing the Capitales to bring in rookie right-hander Jose Aquino who would allow two runs over the next two innings.

Later that inning, New Jersey catcher Matt Lauderdale would rip a triple to left and score moments later on a double by shortstop Mike DeJesus. In the fifth, the Jackals added another run courtesy of back-to-back doubles from third baseman Mike Scanzano and center fielder Billy Kovatch making it a 2-0 game.

Quebec got those runs back in their half of the fifth with an RBI-single from right fielder Sebastien Boucher and a groundball that was misplayed by Leslie, allowing left fielder Alex Nunez to cross home plate.

The game would hold suit at a tie score until the seventh inning when the Jackals lifted Thompson after he issued a leadoff walk to Boucher. The left-hander finished the night going six innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits, striking out five and walking three. New Jersey brought right-hander Romas Hicks into the game and Tomlinson immediately took the rookie over the right field wall for a two run home run, giving Quebec a 4-2 lead.

In the top of the eighth with Quebec closer Derek McDaid on the mound the Jackals were stuck with their backs against the wall, staring their fifth straight loss in the face before Leslie lined a leadoff single. After Lauderdale grounded out and moved the runner to second, DeJesus smacked his second RBI-double of the contest to pull New Jersey within one. The very next batter, designated hitter Quinn Stewart, laced a single to score DeJesus and tie the game.

That set the stage the dramatic ninth inning. After left fielder Ryan Rogowski deposited a triple down the left field line, Leslie lifted his run-scoring double to center field that gave the Jackals a 5-4 lead. Tucker then entered the game, having blown his last two save opportunities, but was lights out in his first appearance of the series. Facing Colafemina, shortstop Ivan Naccarata and catcher Pete LaForest, Tucker struck out the side, blowing a fastball by each batter for strike three.

Kevin Gunter earned the win for New Jersey after pitching a scoreless eighth inning, improving his record to 5-1 on the year. Quebec left-hander Mike Joyce fell to 1-1, after allowing the Jackals to pull ahead in the top of the ninth inning. Leslie finished the game 2-for-5, with a double, an RBI and a run scored, while DeJesus went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and two RBIs.

New Jersey and Quebec will conclude their series tomorrow afternoon with right-hander Ted Serro taking the mound for the Jackals and the Capitales sending right-hander Michel Simard. Joey Whelan will have the live call of the game from Quebec at www.jackals.com. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. with the pre-game show starting 10 minutes prior.

The New Jersey Jackals, proud members of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, play their home games at Yogi Berra Stadium located on the campus of Montclair State University in Little Falls, NJ. The Jackals have clinched the 2009 Can-Am League first-half title and an automatic berth in the playoffs, which begin on September 9. Playoff and regular season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available by calling 973-746-7434. Visit the Jackals online at www.Jackals.com.